STANLEY defender Phil Edwards is up for the Coca-Cola Player of the Month award for December for the first time.

The 24-year-old centre half scored three goals as the Reds chalked up four league wins during the month.

However he faces stiff competition.

Notts County striker Lee Hughes got six goals as the Magpies amassed three wins in their four games – their only loss was to Stanley – and 11 goals in that time although lost boss Hans Backe.

Morecambe’s on-loan striker Phil Jevons grabbed four goals during the month while Rochdale’s highly-rated defender Craig Dawson – once a Stanley target when he was at Radcliffe Borough – grabbed four goals in their six-game unbeaten streak during December.

He has been linked with a big money move away from Spotland during the transfer window.